The Sacred Rock of Inca Cities

Used in ceremonies, considered to have special powers, the Intihuatana
was the main sacral element of each Inca city.

This rock resembles a sundial and was placed in the central part of
most Inca cities.

Following the
Spanish conquest of the
Inca Empire, all the
Intihuatana found were destroyed except the on that is found in
Machu Picchu. Because,
Machu Picchu was never found, this rock has remained intact for a long
time, but not until today!

Unfortunately the modern man's greed has lead to its breaking. A small
part of it has broken off during the filming of a beer commercial. A 450
kg (992 lbs) fell on it,

Since then, the Peruvian authorities don't allow such activities
involving the sacred rock.

The Intihuatana Stone's name is translated into English as "The
Hitching Post of the Sun", because the Incas believed that the stone can
hold the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. The sun almost
stands at the pillar at midday on March 21st and September 21st, when the
equinoxes occur (daytime equals night time). Then, no shadow is cast at
all.

Specialists say that the Intihuatana was an astronomical clock or some
sort of a calendar. Certainly, it was also used in religious rituals and
it has deep religious significance: the Incas have been venerating Inti,
the Sun God, one of their main
Inca gods.

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